Christmas Around The World

Crushers Stadium being transformed for Christmas Around the World

Experience Christmas traditions and food from dozens of countries without ever leaving Avon when the Lake Erie Crushers and USA Expositions present the first ever Christmas Around the World November 29-January 4 at Crushers Stadium, 2009 Baseball Blvd.

Imagine visiting Italy or Greece or Ireland in one day while playing mini golf on a specially constructed course that features iconic landmarks like London's Big Ben or France's Eiffel Tower.

Adam Roggenburk, president of USA Expositions in Westlake, leads the creative team constructing Christmas Around the World from the ground up. They are filling the stadium and a portion of the parking lot with things that will allow visitors to fully immerse themselves into the magic of Christmas. He first came up with the idea during COVID plunging into researching how Christmas is celebrated  beyond the United States. He and staff even traveled to several countries at Christmas to experience the sights, sounds, food and other cultural traditions in order to ensure the authenticity of what they are creating.

His excitement is impossible to suppress as he describes a 52 foot tall animated and musical Christmas Tree on its way to Avon from a manufacturer in Italy. He said once it is operationalized, it will be seen from I-90. They are also installing a 200 foot tubing hill from the top of the stadium roof that will take kids and adults to the bottom located at second base.

Dozens of heated tents are being erected and visitors will receive a passport allowing them to visit each tent as they discover ways different countries celebrate. There will be two music venues on site. One is a 20,000 square foot heated tent. The other may be familiar to those who visit the annual Oktoberfest at Berea Fairgrounds, an event USA Expositions puts on. It's the glockenspiel remade into the North Pole. It also has a stage and performances will feature singers and dancers. Roggenburk's team is still firming up a list of performers but he did say many will be local, and there may be a few surprises.

Key to the big event even happening is the collaboration between USA Expositions and the new owners of Lake Erie Crushers. Vic Gregovits, Crushers president, and business partner Len Komoroski were executives with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group, and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse before purchasing the Crushers.  Gregovits said they want the facility to become a year-round community asset. “This is a great family event that will create memories for all ages. There is nothing else like it and it will become the annual event that will highlight the city and region,” he said.

Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen shares Gregovits' and Roggenburks' excitement about what's in store at Christmas Around the World. “I'm super excited about this because it's a place for families and 'kids' of all ages to see how people around the world celebrate Christmas. It's a 'don't miss' event,” he said.

Christmas Around the World opens Friday, Nov. 29 and runs on weekends until Christmas week when it runs Dec. 22 and 23 then daily Dec. 26 through Jan. 4. Times and ticket information can be found at Christmas Around The World – Christmas Around The World or Christmasatw.com.

Special Features:

Largest Glockenspiel in the U.S.: Remade into the North Pole for this event, the stage will feature singers and dancers.

 200 foot Tubing Hill:  Slide from the top of Crushers Stadium down to second base. Like it? Do it again with your special admission pass.

52 foot Animated Christmas Tree: This may be The World's Happiest Christmas tree, flashing its lights to music every hour.   

Around-the-World Mini-Golf Course: Feature famous places and things like London's Big Ben and France's Eiffel Tower. It may be winter, but visitors with special admission pass can swing away.

North Pole Sweet Shop: Candy and other confections from around the world

Worldwide Food & Drinks

International Live Entertainment:  In addition to the stage at the Glockenspiel/North Pole, there will be a 20,000 square foot heated tent serving as a music venue. 

Jingle All the Way 5K:  Lace up for a 5k run or 1 mile walk Saturday, Dec. 7.